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EMST for Swallowing Issues in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

This study is looking at whether a special breathing exercise, called Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST), can help people with head and neck cancer maintain their ability to swallow safely and efficiently. You might be eligible if you have a new diagnosis of head or neck cancer, are planning to receive radiation or chemoradiotherapy, are 18 or older, and can use the EMST device. The main goal is to see how many days participants can eat food without a feeding tube after 8 weeks. The study is currently recruiting, but its exact status is unclear.

Study design
This is a randomized study with 30 participants. You would be assigned to either receive active EMST or a sham (inactive) EMST device, along with standard cancer care.
What's involved
You would perform EMST exercises 5 sets of 5 breaths, 5 days a week for 8 weeks, at the same time as your cancer treatment. You will have assessments before treatment, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your swallowing function will be assessed at the completion of cancer treatment, 8 weeks after starting treatment.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT03916809

EMST in Patients Undergoing CRT for HNCA

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalSupportive care
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
~30 participants
Updated 2024-12-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:EMST

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Feeding-tube-free food intake (days)
Measured over 8 weeks

Conditions

Head and Neck Neoplasms
Deglutition Disorders

Explore related trials

Hypopharyngeal CarcinomaLaryngeal CarcinomaMalignant Head and Neck NeoplasmMalignant Oral NeoplasmOropharyngeal Carcinoma

Where it's being run

2 sites across 1 states
Wisconsin2

Study leadership

  • Barbara Pauloski · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Who to contact

Barbara Pauloski, Ph.D.
[email protected]
4142296719
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

New diagnosis of cancer in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx;
Planned treatment with primary radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy;
Age 18 or older and able to provide consent;
Ability to use the EMST150 device (hold in mouth and maintain lip seal)

Exclusion

Primary surgery to the head and neck (neck dissection is permitted);
Unknown primary tumor;
Primary cancers of the nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands and skin.
Progressive neurologic condition affecting muscle strength (e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease)
Dysphagia not related to HNCA (e.g. unresolved swallowing difficulty post-stroke or post--traumatic brain injury (TBI))
Prior history of head and neck radiotherapy

What this trial measures

  • Feeding-tube-free food intake (days)8 weeks

    the number of days from the beginning of the study until change in feeding status from 100% oral intake to combined oral intake and tube intake and/or 100% tube feeding will be calculated